Packing matebial



PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. SHAW, OF OAKLEY, CALIFORNIA.

PACKING MATERIAL.

No Drawing. Application filed May 15,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, James H. SHAW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Oakley, in the county of Contra Costa, State of California,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Packing Materials;and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawins, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this application.

This invention relates to improvements in packing materials, theprincipal object of the invention being to provide a material for thepurpose which is adapted to be used instead of moss in packing asparagusand similar produce, and also for packing fragile articles for shipment.

The material not only serves as an ordinary packing-filler, but protectsthe articles packed both against breaking and against the possibleinjurious action of heat and cold, since in its very nature it is aninsulator against changes in temperature.

It also forms a moisture absorbent, thus further protecting the articlesshipped against atmospheric or weather conditions.

The principal ingredient of my material is paper pulp from mill-woodrefuse, the pulp itself being made in any desired fashion kn own to theart. The pulp when thus made or green is a watery mush, to which I add1/20 of one per-cent. by volume of sodium sulfite to prevent theformation of mold or similar destructive formations. The

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 27, 1921.

1920. Serial No. 381,668.

pulp is then poured into molds to form slabs or blocks of various shapesand sizes, the water in the pulp being then evaporated by theapplication of a blast of hot air, or some similar means. In this mannerthe pulp, from the line of its formation and pouring in a wet stateuntil it is dried, is left undisturbed, which prevents disintegrationthereof, the fibers of each slab or block cohering to form a single unitmass.

The material is then ready for use, and is very light and relativelybulky while being substantial and stiif, so that it forms a protectionfor the articles packed therewith against shocks tending to shatter thearticles, should they be breakable.

Should the articles be perishable produce,

the packing material will prevent changes in temperature from aflectingthe same, and will also prevent moisture from reaching them, as I havefound from tests that 6 ounces of this material is able to absorb 5pounds of water, and in the short period of ten seconds. Thus it will beseen that I have produced a packing material which fulfils the objectsof the invention as previously set forth.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

As a new article of manufacture, a packmaterial consisting of uupressedwood paper pulp formed into various shapes and sizes and thoroughlydried.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES H. SHAW.

